India’s Proximity Archives
South Asia
On September 12, Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice of Nepal, was sworn in as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, following protests that advocated for the dissolution of the KP Sharma Oli-led government. She is the first woman to assume the office of Prime Minister of Nepal. Rameshore Khanal, the finance minister; Kulman Ghising, the minister for energy, water resources, and irrigation; and Om Prakash Aryal, the minister for home affairs, were sworn in along with her. The Cabinet is required to organise parliamentary elections within a six-month timeframe. Vital Nepalese institutions, which were vandalised during the anti-corruption protests, have resumed their services since September 14. India has expressed its welcome of the newly formed Interim Government in Nepal, to foster peace and stability within the nation.
Southeast Asia
On September 17, thousands of online riders are set to take to the streets of Jakarta, to demand the resignation of Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi. This will be the first major protest since Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reshuffled his Cabinet last week. Between 2,000 and 5,000 ride-hailing riders are anticipated to participate in the protests. Their goals also include advocating the creation of laws that would protect their interests in Indonesia. They are expected to hold protests in front of Indonesia’s parliament, the Presidential Palace and the offices of the Ministry of Transport. Raden Igun Wicaksono, who is the chairman of Garda - a riders’ association that is the main organiser of Wednesday’s protest - has warned Indonesia’s leaders: “the fight is just getting started”.
East Asia
On September 15, the US, Japan and South Korea launched a joint air and naval exercise, named Freedom Edge. The exercise, scheduled to last until September 19, is being conducted off the southern coast of South Korea's Jeju Island. South Korea's Defence Ministry noted that the exercise aims to strengthen the combined operational capabilities of the concerned countries in the sea, air and cyberspace, which is critical in countering North Korea’s belligerence. The US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii has described the exercise as “the most advanced demonstration of trilateral defence cooperation to date.” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed serious condemnation of the trilateral drill. She called it a confrontational display against North Korea by the three countries and warned of inevitable adverse consequences to them. The US and Japan are also simultaneously engaging in a two-week bilateral exercise in Japan under which a missile system capable of striking the Chinese mainland will be deployed.
West Asia
On September 15, an emergency Arab-Islamic Summit was held in Doha following Israel's military strikes in Qatar against Hamas leadership. The joint statement issued at this summit denounced Israeli aggression against Qatar and its settlement activities in the West Bank, as well as Israel’s policies leading to genocide, ethnic cleansing, and starvation in Gaza. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani cautioned that Israel was not interested in ending the war in Gaza and that Tel Aviv was “thwarting ceasefire negotiations” and the liberation of hostages. Meanwhile, on September 15, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem, wherein the US reaffirmed its support for Israel's security, including the destruction of Hamas and the liberation of hostages.
Central Asia
On September 16, the Second Ministerial Dialogue on Economy and Energy in the “Central Asia + Japan” format was held in Tokyo, chaired by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Yoji Muto. The participants in the dialogue reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation across various fields, considering the countries’ obligations under the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. The discussions centred on energy transition, decarbonization, and the implementation of joint projects aimed at achieving carbon neutrality. Minister Yoji Muto presented the “Roadmap for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in Central Asia,” which was developed in collaboration with the ministries of the participating countries.
Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel INS Nistar, along with the Submarine Rescue Unit (East), made their maiden port call at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, on September 14, 2025, to take part in the biennial Exercise Pacific Reach (XPR-25) scheduled from September 15 to 29. As the designated mothership for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRV), Nistar will participate in multinational submarine rescue drills and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), engaging closely with partner navies. The deployment marks a significant milestone in India’s submarine rescue capability and reflects growing operational linkages with regional partners on underwater safety and interoperability.
